Lenten Devotional Day Thirty-One
Paradoxes are common within Christianity, and we know that God’s ways are not our ways, that His thoughts are not our thoughts. One paradox that is implied is that you will be happier when you readily admit that people suck.
If I wasn’t convinced that this was true before, the last few years have been crystallizing. I have met more greedy, backstabbing liars than I would have thought possible. Some have claimed to be Christians. Others have been poured into as brothers and sisters, prayed for, supported, and accommodated. But people will do almost anything for money, for the chance to take someone else down. People suck.
The last few weeks I have been writing about looking within our own hearts, this has surely convinced me that I suck. My motives are never pure, even when my actions are most worthwhile. I know my only hope is Jesus. So why do we sometimes fall into a trap of believing that other people could ever be capable of not sucking?
Do you feel that paradigm shift? It’s incredibly freeing. As followers of Jesus, we are in a spiritual battle. It’s not just imperfect people who are greedy and dishonest who aim to destroy us, it is Satan himself. He prowls like a lion bent on tearing us limb from limb. He will use anyone willing to help him. If you claim Christ, the target on your back is always flashing neon. A shrewd person would expect the arrows.
But I have not been shrewd. I have been shocked by the arrows, hurt by the many willing participants. But on Monday night, in a conversation with Will, I said it out loud: “People suck.” It was cathartic. I was not remotely angry or resentful. I was just stating a fact. It was a shoulder shrug. If you expect people to not disappoint you, you have ceded them a power over you which perpetuates a cycle of despair. If you know deep in your bones Jesus never fails, then you are able to trade that cycle for a life of rejoicing. How can you help but rejoice to know that there is Someone who will never leave you and never disappoint you?
Who are the three or four people who have shot the most arrows at you? Do you believe Jesus died for them? That He loves them just as much as He loves you? Can you pray for them right now? Can you remind yourself that they are of infinite worth? Do you believe you are called to forgive them?
You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:43-48
Digging Deeper:
Does God give us the power to love our enemies?
Where do you need that power?